R.L. Seale’s Finest Barbados Rum. Perhaps the most iconic and historically the most recognised product from the Foursquare Distillery. Especially amongst its longer aged rums.

At one point this 10 year old rum was the oldest expression from the Foursquare Distillery available. With its distinctive old fashioned “flask” (similar to what Pirate/Privateers used in the 17th century) shaped bottle it is a “cult classic” if you like. The fabulous aged Barbados rum in the “wonky” bottle.

We have reviewed R.L. Seale’s Finest Barbados Rum in the past. As if Foursquare haven’t been releasing enough rum over the past couple of years Richard Seale also felt it was high time their “flagship” (you could argue the case for Doorly’s as well) rum received a bit of an update. So what we got was a red label on the bottle indicating this is now “Export Proof 46% ALC/VOL”. The previous incarnation was a not to shabby 43% ABV. Much the same as the equally iconic Mount Gay Extra Old. Mount Gay haven’t upgraded their offering to date.

For those unfamiliar with this rum (which would explain why you are reading this revie) R.L Seale’s Finest Barbados Rum is a blend of pot and column distilled rums aged a minimum of 10 years in ex-bourbon barrels. It is the every epitomy of Bajan rum production.

The increase in ABV hasn’t lead to an increase in price. You can still pick it up for around £35, sometimes slightly less.. The bottle is your standard 70cl (despite the strange shape). As mentioned earlier we are now talking about an ABV of 46%.

I did once query the expense of producing such different bottles amongst his expressions but Richard assured me they didn’t add much to the overall costs.

I’ve not even looked at my original review of this rum. My past bottles of R.L Seale’s are long gone. I’m actually quite keen to see how this stands up alongside some of the bottlings put out by Foursquare and Foursquare/Velier over the past couple of years. One of my peevs is that many of those that attempted to hoard and bottle flip the Velier Foursquare releases probably haven’t even tried this rum. Still I must stop grumbling about that…….

So lets crack on and see how this has fared over time.

In the glass R.L Seale’s 10 Year Old is a vibrant golden to dark brown colour with an orange tinge.

Nosing reveals typical Bajan and Foursquare aroma’s. Vanilla, touches of caramel and some really well integrated notes of oak and bourbon like spice. It isn’t as “in your face” as some of the recent higher ABV releases but it is very pleasant and approachable.

Cocoa and milk chocolate, touch of nutmeg and some nice sweet spicy “sour mash” like notes. Whether the extra 3% ABV is really making much of a difference I am not sure to be honest. As mentioned earlier by previous bottles of R.L Seale’s are long gone. Even with the ABV at 46% though it is still very pleasant to nose and you can enjoy doing just that for as long as you can resist trying the liquid.

Like Doorly’s XO – R L Seale’s is always available easily here in the UK. I haven’t bought a great deal of it recently as I have been interested in trying all the new expressions. My pockets are only so deep.

Moving on to the sip the rum is slightly drier than the nose might suggest. I don’t know if my palate has changed since I last tried this rum or it has become slightly fruitier but it isn’t quite as “oaked” and dry as I recall though.

The key to R L Seale’s appeal is its simplicity. Much like the iconic MGXO R L Seale’s doesn’t do anything fancy. It’s a pot/column blend of rum aged in quality ex-bourbon casks for 10 years in a tropical climate. It’s beauty is in its balance and complexity rather than a huge ABV and an unusual second maturation or fancy finish.

This is what a fine aged Bajan rum should do. Any Bajan rum producer should have a rum such of this in their locker.

R L Seale’s has a really nice spicy and woody profile backed up by some very nice vanilla and a hint of coconut. Cinnamon, nutmeg and all spice. Dark and milk chocolate and cocoa also put in appearance. Their is a fruity note – stoned fruits such as blackcurrants and there is a nice blast of lime giving it a bit of a zesty punch.

It’s complex but at the same easy to drink.

It’s likely that this rum has been overlooked a little recently. Obviously as a blogger I want to try and review rums that have been newly released or are getting talked about etc. Things that might interest. Even without a re-imagining of this one with a higher ABV I did feel a re-review was on the cards.

This rum still stands up alongside the other Foursquare releases. If you haven’t tried a more “classic” style Foursquare such as Doorly’s 5 or 8, Rum Sixty Six or this you may wish to put one on your shopping list.

I’ve enjoyed this one a little more than I recall the first time around. Definitely a classic Bajan rum. Timeless.